Shared accommodation in Switzerland: our guide

Students, young professionals, or foreigners: to find cheaper housing in Switzerland, it is often best to turn to shared accommodation (flatshare):

• Less expensive, more practical, but also more social, this solution offers many advantages compared to living alone.
  
• However, living with others requires respecting Swiss tenancy law and choosing either a single lease or multiple leases.
  
• How do you find a flatshare in Switzerland? How do you prepare your application file? We answer your questions.

Why choose to live in shared accommodation?

First of all, shared accommodation addresses three major challenges: the high cost of housing, strong demand in large cities, and the desire to live in a community.

Particularly high real estate prices

This comes as no surprise: the Swiss real estate market is among the most expensive in Europe. In Zurich or Geneva, it often costs several thousand francs for a one-bedroom apartment, a budget that is difficult to manage alone.

Faced with these rents, shared accommodation appears as an effective way to reduce housing costs: by sharing an apartment or a house, each flatmate covers a portion of the rent, making the housing budget much more affordable.

Tackling the housing shortage in urban centres

In Zurich, Geneva, or even Lausanne, the rental supply struggles to keep up with demand. Available apartments are taken very quickly, and it is often very difficult to find a suitable place alone.

Shared accommodation therefore makes it easier to access housing in response to this strong demand and generally offers more flexibility than renting alone.

Creating connections and living within a community

Beyond the economic aspect, shared accommodation responds to a growing need for community.

For students, expatriates, or newcomers, sharing a home is an opportunity to meet people, exchange ideas, practise a language (French, German, English depending on the group), and integrate more quickly.

What is the legal framework for shared accommodation?

Swiss tenancy law strictly regulates contractual relationships, making it necessary to carefully examine the type of lease, notice periods, and the rules applicable to rental guarantees.

Different lease models for shared accommodation

In Switzerland, shared accommodation can be based on two types of contracts:

• A single lease: all flatmates sign the same contract. In this case, each flatmate is jointly and severally liable for the entire rent and all obligations. This means that if one person does not pay, the others may be held responsible.

• Multiple leases: a separate contract per room or person, in order to limit individual responsibility. Each person pays their own rent, their own security deposit, and can terminate their lease according to its terms.

Termination rules

In the case of a single shared lease, notice must be signed by all flatmates, making them jointly liable for financial obligations. If one flatmate wishes to leave earlier, they must propose a solvent replacement acceptable to the landlord in order to be released from their commitments before the end of the lease.

By contrast, if multiple leases have been signed, each flatmate may terminate their own part of the contract individually, in compliance with their legal notice period, which simplifies the management of departures.

Rental deposit

As a reminder, most rental contracts, including shared accommodation, require a rental guarantee. This can take the form of a deposit paid into a blocked account or an insurance solution.

If the apartment is returned in good condition, the deposit is refunded. In shared accommodation, the deposit may be collective (shared by all flatmates) or individual, depending on the lease.

How to find shared accommodation (flatshare) in Switzerland?

If you did not already know, the term "WG" is widely used on online search platforms (such as WGZimmer.ch) and in major cities, including French-speaking ones (Geneva, Lausanne).

Essential platforms

To find your future shared accommodation, vary your search tools to cover the entire Swiss market (both French-speaking and German-speaking regions):

• Specialised flatshare websites: platforms such as WGZimmer.ch are dedicated to shared accommodation and offer listings throughout Switzerland.

• Real estate portals: major property platforms, including dreamo.ch, have specific sections for rooms in shared flats.

• Social networks: local Facebook groups (e.g. "Colocations Lausanne", "WG Zürich") are very active, especially for students and young professionals.

Our advice: do not hesitate to use German terms (WG, Wohngemeinschaft) or local terms (room for rent) in your searches.

Preparing a strong application file

The quality of your application is often the decisive factor. Landlords will very likely require maximum guarantees:

• Debt enforcement register extract (Betreibungsauszug): this is the most important document in your application, as it proves your solvency and shows that you have no outstanding debts. Without it, your application will often be rejected.

• Proof of income or solvency: your employment contract, payslips, or a scholarship certificate / parental guarantee for students.

• Identity and residence documents: a copy of your passport or ID card and, if you are a foreigner, your B or C residence permit.

Succeeding in your flatshare interview

Beyond supporting documents, landlords or flatmates place great importance on personality, compatibility, and good interpersonal relationships.

The visit or interview is therefore an opportunity to present yourself positively, be punctual, respectful, and clear about your habits. This is often a decisive criterion, as shared accommodation relies as much on human trust as on the contract.

Real costs of shared accommodation: what budget should you plan for?

Average flatshare prices by city

It is no longer a secret: shared accommodation is much more affordable than living alone. Here is an indicative price range for a room in a shared flat in Switzerland’s main urban centres (rent excluding utilities):

Good to know: The average price of a room to rent generally represents 40 to 50% of the cost of a studio or a small one-bedroom apartment in the same area.

Additional costs not to forget

Net rent is only part of the budget. You should also plan for fixed monthly expenses, which are often shared between flatmates:

• Service charges: These costs (heating, hot water, electricity, cleaning of common areas) are often included in the rent as utilities included. Plan CHF 150 to 250 per month per person in the total budget.

• Media fee (Serafe): This is the mandatory fee for radio and TV reception in Switzerland, payable per household (not per person). It amounts to approximately CHF 335 per year, or about CHF 28 per month, to be shared among all flatmates.

• Essential insurance policies: including private liability insurance (between CHF 80 and 150 per year) and household insurance.

Looking for shared accommodation in Switzerland?

dreamo.ch supports Swiss tenants and property owners at every stage of their selling or rental project. With its tools and expert advice, find, rent, or manage your property with peace of mind, benefiting from clear and reliable information throughout the entire lease process.